Absorption refrigeration



Patented May 19, 1936 2,040,904 ansonr'non REFRIGERATION Glenn F. Zellhoefer, Bloomington, Ill.

No Drawing. Application April Serial No. 17,067

2 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to' a solvent material and a refrigerant mixture for absorption refrigerating machines, both of the two-fluid type and'of the three fluid type.

In absorption refrigeration there is required a solvent material adapted to remain liquid throughout the operation ofthe apparatus, and a refrigerant material adapted to have a liquid and a vapor phase in the cycles of operation,

adapted to be dissolved or absorbed in the solvent, adapted to be evaporated or boiled as a vapor from the solvent'mixture and from the solvent, and adapted to be condensed from'the vapor to a liquid. Numerous refrigerants and numerous solvents are known, as well as successful combinations of these.

The two-fluid absorption machines have certain mechanical parts which may be omitted or which are not duplicated in three-fluid machines. In a-three-fluidmachine, there is in addition to the two-fluid mixture a body of inert gas which is-always gas, and'whlch does not to any substantial extent dissolve in any of the components of-the two-fluid composition, or in mixtures thereof. a r

The present invention is directed to a .new solvent for absorption refrigeratiomand'to combinations thereof with refrigerants.

A particular object of the invention is the use of trlethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate as a solvent,

Another object is the use of a combination of said solvent with the refrigerant dichloromono-' fluoromethane.

Examples of the two-fluid apparatus in which the new solvent material and the new combination maybe used is disclosed in my co-pending application Serial N0. 651,306, flledrJanuary 12, 1933, or in my U. S. Patent No. 1,895,698, issued January 31, 1933. Otherexamples may readily be cited, and will be known tothose skilled in the,

circulating means are included, and automatic controls may be provided.

The particularcharacteristics,of such a ma- '7 chine are that -the still operates at temperatures wellabove normal temperatures, such for example at 210 'F. to 250 F.; and that the cooling unit operates at temperatureslower than nor-, mal, such as from 15 F. to F. Various parts of the apparatusdift'er in the prevailing temi peratures and pressures, and both pressure and U temperature determine the physical state of the free refrigerant material, whether gaseous or liquid, and determine the solubility relations between the refrigerant and the solvent material. It is, therefore, very important that the solvent and the refrigerant materials be physically adapted for use as individual materials in certain places and for certain functions, and that they be'mutually adapted for certain functions when they are in combination. Other qualities not essentialto refrigeration, but pertinent to practical usage, control or limit the choice of solvent or refrigerant, such as odor, viscosity,

heat capacity, boiling point, freezing point, volatility, chemical stability, reactivity, corrosive action, inflammability, toxicity, etc. I By considering the limitations herein set forth, andsuggested, I have beenable to utilize triethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, as] solvent, for'practical usage; in combinationwith the refrigerant dichloromonofluoromethane, which is little known.

The new solvent is hereinrnamed astriethylenei glycol monomethyl ether acetate. In order to leave no doubt as to its identity, itsstructural formula is herein given:

monofluoromethane. In order to leave no doubt as to its identity, its structural formula is herein given: Y

, CHCIQF. a

In the accompanying claims the inv'entionis set forth as a combination useful in absorption refrigeration. It is to be understood that a,- simple adulteration of the new solvent in its pure form, either by reason of commercial im purities, or by addition oflesser quantities of other material, useful also as'solvent, is permitted, and such a composition is intended to fall within the scope of the present invention- This application is dominated by the genericapplication Serial No. 17,004, filed April 10,1035. 2. A mm. m the Muenj m 1 m H s -type o1 mention apparamscomlstm: ottrb,

l. A 're! erant mixture for I the absorption ethylene a m 71 i the I 7 type of r rlgemtibn appafatm' confls'tlnz or MQ Q ""F 8 w? '5 methylene glycolmonomethyl ether :aoetgte a! k woiented. m

the essentially predominant solvent, anddlchlou 'oluhle 13nd mlvent- 1 :omcnofluoromethan'e as a refrigerant. m 

